This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details
This homemade Mocha cake is a dense and moist coffee flavored cake with a decadent Kahlua Coffee Frosting. This mocha cake is for true coffee lovers with an intense coffee flavor.
If you saw the teaser I posted on Instagram this weekend, then you already know how much I love this cake.
This was actually a reader recommendation. After making my Moist Vanilla Cake, Abbie asked me what I would do to make this cake mocha flavored.
After exchanging a few emails back and forth I started to get kind of excited by the idea and decided to try it for myself.
This Mocha cake is a dense and moist coffee flavored cake with a decadent Kahlua Coffee Frosting.
Once I had tasted the cake batter, I knew this was going to be good. It reminded me of melted coffee ice cream. Once I pulled it out of the oven, it was hard to even wait 5 minutes for this thing to cool before I went in with my fork…..a few times.
I wanted to be sure this cake had a distinct coffee flavor because of you’re going to have a mocha cake it needs to taste that way.
I adapted my vanilla cake recipe and instead of milk, I used coffee. Then, I added a tablespoon of espresso powder. This combination worked out to be exactly what I wanted.
For the coffee, I happened to have iced coffee in my fridge because that’s what I drink regularly. If you need to make coffee, I suggest something strongly brewed.
Additionally, I know espresso powder isn’t always a common household ingredient. You can also use a finely ground coffee.
I debated back and forth over the type of frosting I should put on this cake. At first, I thought chocolate would be good, then I thought a coffee flavored frosting would be good to. It’s true, both would be delicious.
I decided on a Kahlua Frosting with a touch of espresso powder. WOW. This one is good. I actually thought it was better the next morning than it was straight out of the mixer. This allows the espresso and Kahlua flavors to absorb into the whole frosting.
I definitely had more than a few bites of this cake, but it was SO worth it. Coffee, Kahlua and cake. What’s not to love?
Follow Beyond Frosting:
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
If you love no-bake recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, No-Bake Treats!
Print
Mocha Cake with Kahlua Coffee Buttercream
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
This homemade Mocha cake is a dense and moist coffee flavored cake with a decadent Kahlua Coffee Frosting. This mocha cake is for true coffee lovers with an intense coffee flavor.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup light sour cream
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon espresso powder (or finely ground coffee)
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups strong brewed coffee, cooled
For the frosting:
- 1 cups (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 3 tablespoons Kahlua
- 1 ½ tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until the eggs and oil are well incorporated and the batter is lighter in color, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- Next mix in the sour cream and beat until well combined.
- Add half the flour followed by the espresso powder, baking powder and salt, and beat on low speed while pouring in half of the coffee and mix just until the flour starts to incorporate.
- Finally add the remaining flour, mixing on low speed while pouring in the remaining coffee and beating until all of the ingredients are well combined.
- Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir the batter from the bottom to the top to ensure it’s well mixed.
- Pour the batter in a 9-inch by 13-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 28-32 minutes, keeping a careful eye on the baking during the last few minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
- Test the cake for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, you cake is done.
- For the frosting: Cut the butter into pieces. Using the paddle attachment, whip butter for 3-5 minutes, scraping down the bowl occasionally. Beat until the butter looks light in color.
- Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and espresso powder and mix on low speed until incorporated into butter.
- Next, add the Kahlua and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.
- Finally, add the last two cups of powdered sugar and the heavy cream. Beat on low speed until the sugar is incorporated then increase speed to medium-high and beat for 3 minutes to whip the frosting. Spread over cooled cake.
You might also like:
Will this recipe work in two 9″ rounds? Or should I be doubling the recipe for a layer cake? (I guess if worse comes to worse, after doubling it, I can just make a triple layer cake in 8″ rounds, no?)
This recipe will work for 2 9inch round. No need to double the cake recipe, but you may need to double the frosting. You can also make a 3 layer 8-inch cake without adjusting the cake recipe. Each layer will be 3/4″-1″ thick
bailey’s irish cream works as a great substitute for kahlúa :•)
this recipe was easy to follow, and a hit! not only is it pretty to look at, the cake was moist and not overly sweet. i think it’ll be great as cupcakes too, for easier sharing. i recommend using cold brew or nice drip coffee because i don’t think my instant coffee (the only thing i had on hand) brought out as much flavor. a great recipe though!
i will for sure be using this recipe again!
★★★★★
Thank you so much! I love the swap with Baileys!
I made this exactly as directed for my daughter’s birthday. She works at Starbucks and everyone loved it (even the non-coffee drinkers)!
★★★★★
So amazing Colleen, thank you so sharing!
If I use vanilla cake mix how does the recipe change?
Hi Leigh, all I can recommend is replacing the liquid (usually water) with brewed coffee, add the espresso powder and 1/2 cup of sour cream. Then use the eggs and oil as indicated on the box. This is a total guess, as I have never made it that way, but I almost always add sour cream to cake mix, and I usually swap out the water for milk or something else like that.
Thank you for your help! I’ll be sure to try your recommendations.
You’re welcome!
Beautiful recipe! I’m wondering if I could substitute a round cake pan (9 inches) instead of 9×13?
I have not tested this specific recipe in a 9-inch pan but similar recipes I have. The baking time is around 30 minutes. Baking times will vary due to how full the pans are, type of pans used and true oven temperature.
I made this cake for a friendly family bake-off, and it was amazing. I added mini chocolate chips for an extra bit of chocolate, and they made it even better!
★★★★★
Hi Laura! A family bake off sounds just amazing! Thanks for including my recipe, I am so glad you all enjoyed it.
Hey , love this recipe and can’t wait to make it. i had just one question tho. We don’t drink coffee so can i use instant coffee granules. if yes, how many teaspoons of instant coffee and water for the amount of brewed coffee should i substitute
thank you
You should follow the instructions on the package for the instant coffee to brew 1 1/4 cups of coffee for the cake. For the frosting just replace the instant espresso powder with your instant coffee.
Hi, is there a non alcoholic substitute of Kahlua? Thx so much!
Depends on the type of frosting you want. If you just want coffee buttercream you could add additional brewed coffee (you’ll want it to be cold). Or you could just add more heavy whipping cream. Otherwise you could just try a whole different frosting like chocolate or vanilla